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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 19, 1982 · Navy N3N-3 · N51H

Danville, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 19, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Danville, IL
Aircraft
Navy N3N-3
Tail Number
N51H
Operator
Bernard Karsh
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI82DA360

UPON ARRIVING AT AN AIR SHOW THE PLT WAS GIVEN ADVISORIES FOR A DOWNWIND LANDING. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY GROUND-LOOPED. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE TAILWHEEL LOCK HAD ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. THE CENTERING SPRING WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO CONSISTENTLY CENTER THE TAILWHEEL POST SO THAT THE LOCK PIN COULD ENTER. IN ADDITION, THE COMPRESSION SPRING WAS TOO WEAK TO FORCE THE LOCK PIN INTO PLACE.

Full Narrative

UPON ARRIVING AT AN AIR SHOW THE PLT WAS GIVEN ADVISORIES FOR A DOWNWIND LANDING. THE ACFT SUBSEQUENTLY GROUND-LOOPED. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE TAILWHEEL LOCK HAD ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. THE CENTERING SPRING WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO CONSISTENTLY CENTER THE TAILWHEEL POST SO THAT THE LOCK PIN COULD ENTER. IN ADDITION, THE COMPRESSION SPRING WAS TOO WEAK TO FORCE THE LOCK PIN INTO PLACE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:15 CDT
Nearest AirportVermillion County (0nm N)
Runway16
Runway Length3999 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftNavy N3N-3
Tail NumberN51H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBernard Karsh
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · R-760 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 61 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point16 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data